There are some high expectations for the LA Clippers heading into the 2022-23 NBA season. They have arguably the deepest, most talented roster in the NBA that will help Tyronn Lue navigate the marathon regular season, hopefully without any significant injuries.
Injuries were a big reason that the team took a step back last season. They played the entire 22021-22 season without Kawhi Leonard, who injured his knee in the team’s second-round matchup against the Utah Jazz in the 2021 postseason. They were lucky enough to still have Paul George on the roster, but he was unable to remain healthy either, playing in only 31 games.
With both players healthy and back on the court, Los Angeles is among the favorites to win the NBA Championship this season. Everyone being comfortable and accepting of their roles is important for a winning team, as egos need to be put aside to achieve the ultimate goal of taking home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The Clippers know that, as George is more than happy being the second option behind Leonard.
“Listen, Kawhi is the No. 1,” George said. “I try to complement him with being able to take the load off of him … I’ll publicly say, ‘I’m the 2. Kawhi’s the 1, I’m the 2.’ So that part we nipped in the bud.”
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It takes a special, confident kind of player to accept being the second option when the skill set is there to succeed as the first option. We have seen George thrive as a go-to, which makes him even more dangerous as the second option as things will be even easier for him playing off of Leonard.
As veterans, it is easier for them to know what they want. When they were younger, they may have let their egos get in the way, but now that they are seasoned veterans, Leonard and George know that there are more important things to accomplish.
“We’re both unselfish,” Leonard said. “My 12th year, his 13th year … we’ve been through this before, so I feel like just having those years under our belt and, obviously, like I said, we have a genuine relationship, and it just carries over [into how we lead].”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George & LA Clippers Updates
Leonard and George knew what would come with teaming up to play together. There were heightened expectations and while they haven’t accomplished everything they set out to do just yet, they know that they are on the right path. George is also confident in his skill set no matter the role that is asked of him.
“I believe in my talent and what I can do,” George said. “And I believe on any night of what I am capable of. But I feel my job is to make everybody better. That is what I try to do when I am on the floor, just make the game easy for everybody, whether it is creating or just being aggressive … and making reads off of that.
“I think we will go a long ways if everybody just knows their role and what we bring to the table. Everything else is easy; we just roll the ball out, and we get after it.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George & LA Clippers Updates
The Clippers have been to only one conference final in franchise history, which was reached in 2021 following Leonard’s injury. They are looking to surpass that this season as Leonard and George is leading what could be the best team in the NBA.
